Since launching, early college programs at UMass have expanded to 22 high schools across the Commonwealth from Boston to the Berkshires, providing 1,200 students with the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school at no cost to them. (2/2)

Early college programs give high school students a running start on their college education, while breaking down location and cost barriers. (1/2) Read more about our early college program:

Alliance #EarlyCollege Policy Fellow Sebastian Rivera (@LowellPSD & @middlesex_cc) wrote an op-ed for @InsideLowell on the impact #EarlyCollege has had on the 4,000(!) Lowell students who have participated in recent years. You can read more here:

We were honored to be @Merrimack last night for their #EarlyCollege Graduate Recognition Ceremony! So powerful to see the opportunities Merrimack is providing for students, and to hear the students testify to how far they've come through the program.

Great professor doing great work!

Renée Tetrault is a Business Professor @STCCSpringfield, where she teaches Business and Information to #EarlyCollege students. She brings more than 3 decades' teaching experience to the program, and loves introducing high school students to the college experience. #ThankATeacher

Jason Happel is a Visiting Assistant Professor @FraminghamU, where he teaches Ethics to #EarlyCollege students. His career has focused on providing college-level learning to high school students through a variety of programs and schools. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

Vedi is an #EarlyCollege student at Milford Public Schools and @FraminghamU, and she shared her appreciation for Dr. Demetrios Brellas, who she took Cultural Anthropology with during her Early College journey. @MetroWestCPC #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher @NEAToday

Diane Shaw is an Assistant Professor of Practice @Merrimack, where she teaches Psychology to #EarlyCollege students. She appreciates the passion and curiosity her students bring to their learning! #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

Shammaelle is an #EarlyCollege student from @worcesterpublic, @Quinsig, and @WorcesterState, and she shared her appreciation for Professor Jane Dowd, who taught her First Year Experience course at QCC. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher @NEAToday

Shout out to UMassD faculty/staffer Jessica Oliveira, '00 who talks about her experience as a first gen student, the importance of early college in building student confidence, and how how faculty can support the unique needs of these students.

Katreina is an #EarlyCollege student from @WhittierTechHS and @NorthernEssex, and she shared an appreciation for Professor Marissa Elliott, who taught English Composition in her program.@Whittier_Super @NECCPrez #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

Kate Flanagan Copans, Director of the Commonwealth Collegiate Academy for @UMass, shared an appreciation and reflection on the amazing work UMass educators do to empower #EarlyCollege students in pursuing their education and career goals. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

Angelique Austin-Wilkes teaches math to #EarlyCollege students @wentworthinst. She believes in the power of representation, particularly in STEM education spaces, and empowers students to succeed when given the chance. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher @NEAToday

Angelica is an #EarlyCollege student @LPS_Education and @Merrimack, and she shared her appreciation for @KirstieDobbsPhD, who leads Merrimack's Early College program and teaches politics for participating students. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

#EarlyCollege educators at the high school and college levels are innovating to ensure high school students can meet the demands of college coursework. @KirstieDobbsPhD @Merrimack @UMassD #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher Read more: https://t.co/T4xIRENcsN

Elle Yarborough is an English Professor @NorthernEssex, where she teaches comp, film studies, and literature to #EarlyCollege students. She relishes opportunities to share her love of reading and writing with students! @NECCPrez #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher @NEAToday

Andy is an #EarlyCollege alum from @CtownHigh (@BostonSchools) and @BHCCBoston, and he shared appreciation for Professor Sarah Costello, who taught personal finance. Great educators bring students along and help them build critical skills! #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher

In honor of #TeacherAppreciationWeek, STCC and @MA4EarlyCollege are highlighting Early College educators. Here's a message from Melanie Laurin. Learn more: https://t.co/0GT76OeCr5

Emily Cakounes is an Assistant Professor @northshore_cc; she joined the college with the explicit goal of teaching in the #EarlyCollege program and making college coursework accessible to high school students! @NSCCPREZBILL #TeacherAppreciationWeek #ThankATeacher @NEAToday